RSU 16 Indoor Air Quality Project-Grant Funded!
RSU 16 has been awarded a $6 million dollar funding grant from the State of Maine School Revolving Renovation Fund (“SRRF”). This one time opportunity will dramatically improve indoor air quality, ventilation, and HVAC systems at the following schools:
• Poland Regional High School
• Bruce Whittier Middle School
• Poland Community School
• Elm Street School
This indoor air quality, state grant funded project, represents a once in a lifetime opportunity to make long-needed facility improvements with substantial state financial support. We need to use it or we lose it (the grant).
CONGRATULATIONS RSU 16!!
WE NEED YOUR HELP BY VOTING ON THE GRANT ON JUNE 9!
How the Grant Works:
RSU 16 will receive the $6 Million funding grant for the project through the SRRF program only if you support the grant by voting on June 9.
● 58.13% of the SRRF funding is forgiven. That equals approximately $3,487,800.
This forgiveness functions similarly to a grant or donation to the district.
● The remaining 41.87% of the SRRF funding grant will be repaid over 10 years at 0% interest. This represents the best opportunity for the local taxpayer!
This grant funding structure significantly reduces long-term financing costs for taxpayers.
|
Amount $ |
Impact to Taxpayer |
|
$3,487,800 |
This portion of the grant is forgiven (Similar to a Donation) |
|
$2,512,200 |
This portion of the grant is at a 0% interest, 10 year financing term. |
|
$2,943,901 |
Supplemental bond financed low interest over 20 years |
|
$8,943,901 |
Total Project Investment to Fix our Indoor Air Quality Four Schools* |
*Investment in this four-school student centered project is reduced as noted above.
| May 2023 | $5 million HVAC referendum failed at the polls. |
| December 2023 | Engineering firm estimated $7.4 million to address HVAC needs in all three elementary schools; the Board did not move forward with a proposed $10.2 million Master Lease. |
| October 2024 | RSU 16 notified that no elementary HVAC projects were eligible for Department of Education SRRF funding. |
| August 2025 | Major Capital School Construction applications submitted for ESS, MCS, and PCS. Only the top two projects statewide were funded; MCS ranked 40th, ESS 56th, and PCS 84th. |
| October 2025 | SRRF applications submitted for Indoor Air Quality projects at ESS, PCS, and PRHS/WMS. Award notifications expected by February 1. |
| January 2026 | Maine Department of Education awards RSU 16 $6 million (58% of the $6 million will be forgiven) with additional projects costs of $3.1 million to total of $9.1 million in upgrades to ESS, PCS and PRHS/WMS. |
| June 9, 2026 | Residents of RSU 16 communities are asked to vote to accept the grant. |
What You Can Do!
SUPPORT THE GRANT AWARD!
A YES vote on Question 1 on June 9 authorizes RSU 16 to accept the $6 million SRRF funding grant awarded to RSU-16 through the Maine Department of Education and move forward with the indoor air quality improvement projects at all four RSU-16 Schools!.
Please vote on June 9!
If the vote on the $6 million SRRF Funding Grant does not pass, sadly:
• RSU 16 will lose access to this $6 million funding grant funding opportunity.
• Similar funding may not be available again for several years (minimum of five years).
• Important ventilation and facility improvements would likely be delayed.
• The district would lose access to the State’s 58.13% loan forgiveness program and low cost (0%) ten year financing program.
· Project costs to the local taxpayer will all be entirely out of pocket with no State Funding Grant Support!
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